Governor won't let agency hand out special condoms

news servicesCHICAGO TRIBUNE

The Blagojevich administration Wednesday defended its decision to stop distributing flavored and colored condoms that health activists consider helpful in fighting AIDS, even as dozens of people rallied at the Capitol to remember victims of the disease.

At the Capitol and other state buildings, lights were dimmed to mark World AIDS Day. Gov. Blagojevich called it "a time to reaffirm our commitment to promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention."

But some health workers said they were disappointed that Blagojevich had ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health not to buy any more condoms in bright colors or flavors for distribution to clinics and health agencies.

"It catches the younger people's eye, and that's the generation we're trying to get because they're engaging in risky behavior," said Dante Bryant, an outreach specialist at Springfield's Sara Center.

He said the center gets flavored and colored condoms from the state and distributes them at bars or areas frequented by drug users to promote safe sex.

The Public Health Department has given clinics and local health agencies about 360,000 flavored condoms and 910,000 colored condoms this year. That's in addition to the millions of ordinary condoms it provides every year. This year, the state has spent more than $117,000 in federal funds on condoms.

After learning about the special condoms, the Democratic governor ordered the department not to buy any in the future.

"He just felt it was inappropriate," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch. "It's one thing to promote safe sex. It's another thing to encourage sexual activity."